PublicationsInsights on Current Policy Issues

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

Today's Daily Update

February 6, 2018

The House will consider two bills under suspension of the rules as well as H.R. 772 – Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2017 and the House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 1892 – Further Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018. The Senate might vote on the House Message on H.R.695, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018.

THE HOUSE

Yesterday

Suspensions: The House agreed to suspend the rules and pass the following measures:

Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2017:

H.R. 4547, amended, to amend titles II, VIII, and XVI of the Social Security Act to improve and strengthen the representative payment program, by a \2/3\ yea-and-nay vote of 396 yeas with none voting ``nay'', Roll No. 51;

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Establishment Act:

H.R. 2888, to establish the Ste. Genevieve National Historic Site in the State of Missouri;

Ensuring fair treatment in licensing requirements for the export of certain echinoderms:

H.R. 2504, to ensure fair treatment in licensing requirements for the export of certain echinoderms; and

United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Extension Act:

H.R. 2646, amended, to reauthorize the United States-Jordan Defense Cooperation Act of 2015.

Suspensions--Proceedings Postponed: The House debated the following measures under suspension of the rules. Further proceedings were postponed.

Western Area Power Administration Transparency Act:

H.R. 2371, to require the Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration to establish a pilot project to provide increased transparency for customers;

Gateway Arch National Park Designation Act:

S. 1438, to redesignate the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in the State of Missouri as the ``Gateway Arch National Park'';

Ukraine Cybersecurity Cooperation Act of 2017:

H.R. 1997, amended, to encourage United States-Ukraine cybersecurity cooperation and require a report regarding such cooperation;

War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act:

H.R. 3851, amended, to amend the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to provide for rewards for the arrest or conviction of certain foreign nationals who have committed genocide or war crimes; and

Swan Lake Hydroelectric Project Boundary Correction Act:

H.R. 219, to correct the Swan Lake hydroelectric project survey boundary and to provide for the conveyance of the remaining tract of land within the corrected survey boundary to the State of Alaska.

1) H.R. 4924 – To amend the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to reform the procedures provided under such Act for the initiation, investigation, and resolution of claims alleging that employing offices of the legislative branch have violated the rights and protections provided to their employees under such Act, including protections against sexual harassment, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Gregg Harper / House Administration Committee)

2) H.Res. 724 – Requiring each employing office of the House of Representatives to adopt an anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policy for the office’s workplace, establishing the Office of Employee Advocacy to provide legal assistance and consultation to employees of the House regarding procedures and proceedings under the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995, and for other purposes (Sponsored by Rep. Gregg Harper / House Administration Committee)

THE SENATE

Yesterday

Measures Passed:

Kari's Law Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation was discharged from further consideration of H.R. 582, to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require multi-line telephone systems to have a configuration that permits users to directly initiate a call to 9–1–1 without dialing any additional digit, code, prefix, or post-fix, and the bill was then passed, after agreeing to the following amendment proposed thereto:

By a unanimous vote of 94 yeas (Vote No. EX. 28), Andrei Iancu, of California, to be Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Today

The Senate stands adjourned until 10:00am on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.

Following Leader remarks, there will be a period of morning business until 12:00 noon with senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each and with the time equally divided between the two Leaders, or their designees.

Around noon, there could be a roll call vote on going to the House Message on H.R.695, Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018.

The Senate will recess from 12:30pm until 2:15pm to allow for the weekly caucus meetings.

Hearings Covered by W&J Today

Senate JudiciaryIllicit International Financial Networks

House Financial ServicesFSOC Annual Report

Senate BankingVirtual Currencies

House Armed ServicesNational Defense Strategy/Nuclear Posture Review

House Foreign AffairsU.S. Cyber Diplomacy

House Homeland SecurityEnsuring Effective and Reliable Alerts and Warnings

Tax

H.R.4926 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emission fees, reduce the rate of the corporate income tax, provide tax credits to workers, deliver additional benefits to retired and disabled Americans, and for other purposes.Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 02/05/2018) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House - Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans' Affairs, Energy and Commerce, Education and the WorkforceLatest Action: House - 02/05/2018 Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans' Affairs, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for...

H.R.4921 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)To require the Surface Board of Transportation to implement certain recommendations of the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation.Sponsor: Rep. Mitchell, Paul [R-MI-10] (Introduced 02/05/2018) Cosponsors: (1)Committees: House - Transportation and InfrastructureLatest Action: House - 02/05/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

PublicationsInsights on Current Policy Issues

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.

This memorandum will provide a survey of federal action on cryptocurrencies (aka virtual currencies), including enforcement and guidance. At present, some federal regulators have begun asserting oversight and enforcement authority under their existing powers while other potential regulators have not yet indicated publicly what, if any, oversight they will exercise. Other federal stakeholders on cryptocurrencies have also begun to engage. However, the U.S. government’s approach to virtual currencies remains fluid.